State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: California vs Colorado
Mechanical Engineers in California earn a median of $130,900. In Colorado, $124,430. After cost-of-living, the gap is 2% — not 5.2%.
Nominal pay gap
+5.2%
California vs Colorado
COL-adjusted gap
-2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $130,900
- p25
- $102,360
- p75
- $166,580
- p10
- $82,070
- p90
- $203,620
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -45%
Colorado
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $124,430
- p25
- $95,710
- p75
- $149,790
- p10
- $75,100
- p90
- $170,810
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 103.1
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -67%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.